The DeSmet leader. (DeSmet, Kingsbury Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-03-12
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Washington Letter.
From our regular correspondent

From our regular coruspondent.)
WASHINGTON, FEB es,-Will there
be an extra session. This is an i'm
portant question at the Capital just
now. You hear it discussed on every
side, AS to the probability and nec-
essity for a called session of the two
Houses or special session of the Sen
ate, the opinions of our lawmakers
differ widely. Some say the backward
state of the appropriation bills, for
which the Democratic branch Of con-
gress Is entirely to blame, make a
called session inevitable. Others say
the work will all be done and both
Houses will be ready to adjourn or
next Friday.
congressman never want an extra
session, but the people Of Washington
always do. 1t is to their interest for
congress to hang on as long as possible,
and they would like for it's sessions to
be perennial.
The House is now working night
and day In order to get through. Hon.
Mr.. Butterworth, of Ohio, who is much
opposed TO an extra session, says the
House is very censurable for its delay
of this work. lie is member Of the
powerful Appropriations Committee OF
the House, but he is Republican
member, and of course in the minority
on vote. lie was speaking of the I'M
fairness on the part of the House in
not giving the Senate time to carefully
consider these bills, but said he THE
only question involved is that OF
amount, it is not as if there was any
legislation connected with them. The
Senate can dispose Of them in a very
short time
There has been a perfect pot-pourri
in the proceedings Of congress during
the past week. and will be during the
remaining few days. 'he calenders Of
of both Houses are exceedingly cum
bersome, and so much business Of great
Importance demands attention that the
temptation to undue haste is irresista-
bic.
While the matter of appointments
and combinations is not i'm itself suf-
fcienu to bring about an extra session
Of the Senate, it contributes to the in
fluences which may produce a called
session. Opinions respecting the pres
ident's power to appoint the Interstate
Commerce Commissioners during
recess of the Senate are widely apart.
The president thinks he has the right
TO do so and Senator Sherman agrees
with him. as does also the Attorney
General, who has rendered an opinion
and cited Attorney Generals Stanpury,
Evarts, Williams, and Devens as pre-
cedents.
But Messrs. Edmunds. Harris, Pugh,
and other senators Of prominence de-
clare that the President has no shadow
of Constitutional right to fill newly
created Office when the Senate is not i'm
session to give its advice and consent.
They hold that his power in the matter
is limited TO filling vacancies temporar-
lily which may happen during the recess.
There is good deal Of speculation
as to what the president will do with
the bill recently passed by both Houses
of congress making department of
agriculture and an addition to the Cab
met to be called the Secretary of Agri-
culture. This bill has been pending in
congress for years and has passed once
before by both branches, but was ye-
toed by President Arthur. Agricultu-
ralists generally have petitioned for it's
passage Of late and it is thought Mr..
Cleveland will not veto it for fear of
imperiling his political future.
1t has been just thirty-eight years
since congress created new executive
department. Our first president began
his administration with a Cabinet OF
three members, the secretaries Of state,
treasury and war At the beginning Of
his second term, however, the attorney
general was added to his official house.
hold, and later the navy department
was organized. The Cabinet then con-
sisted of five members until 1920, when
the postmaster general was added.
Twenty years later congress organized
the last department, that Of the inter
ior, and President Taylor made Thomas
Ewing, Of Ohio, its first secretary.
AS soon as Mr.. Corcoran. the vener-
able and WILDLY known Washington
philanthropist, learned of the arrival of
Mrs. Grant in this city. lie called to
see her. She has also been visited by
all the employees Of the White House
who were there during her residence
in 1t.
Mrs. Cleveland had grown a little
| fatigued from the numerous official
hospitrlities which always crowd the
last fortnight of the gay season, and
welcomed the quiet Of Lent.
Such mild festivities as Shaksperian,
German and French readings, whist
clubs. DOrcus meetings, musicales and
sewing schools, are in order, and seem
to be full of interest to those who give
up all social pomps and yanities during
the Lenten season.
The March Eclectic I Yes the place
! of honor to an extraordinary article
called 1.-The Land Of Darkness" pre-,
sumably by Mr.. Oliphant. though
anonymous. 1t is pOst powerful de-
scriptive study CT the place Of punish,
ment in the after life. IL il worthy Of
the genius of the author Of "Old Lady